A NEW and USEFUL CATECHISM Very necessary and teachable both for Children and young Christians Wherein is contained by way of Question and Answer a brief Discovery of these Things 1. What is God 2. How he may be known 3. What Man's State is by reason of the Fall of Adam and his own actual Sins 4. What Christ is and the glorious Remedy God hath provided for Sinners in sending his Son into the World 5. That the Scriptures are the undoubted Mind and Will of God for Men and Christians to walk by evident by six Reasons 6. What our Duty is to Christ in Matter of Worship and holy Conversation 7. Some few Questions and Answers relating to the Duty of Children and Servants in particular The third Edition Corected and Amended with large Additions by MANASSETH KING Pastor to the Church of Christ in Coventry Parents bring up your Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord Ephes 6.4 London Printed in the Year 1693. TO THE READER FOr as much as I have observed that among the many great and little Books there have been scarce any that have minded this Work of publishing any thing tending to the instructing of Youth in the Things of the Lord in such a way as may be by Parents or Masters easily by way of Question asked and by way of Answer easily learned by Children or Servants I have therefore as one of those that bear good-will to the Education of Youth and the Edification of others and so far as I know my own Heart to the eternal Salvation of all whom Jesus Christ hath died for have singly in this intended the Glory of God in whose Hand is all our Breaths and do humbly offer this as tending thereto in this ensuing Dialogue desiring that if my Knowledg may not be so great as others nor my Judgment so regulated according to the Scriptures of Truth as others that it may not prejudice them against what Truth they may find nor hinder but rather further them to the bringing forth a more excellent Piece of this Nature and then I am sure God will have the Glory Souls may have the Benefit many Families that too much yea I judg sinfully neglect the instructing of their Children or Servants under their Charge receive more Benefit not knowing as the Apostle saith but thou O Man mayst save thy Wife So what knowest thou O Father but thou by thy care in bringing up thy Child in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord mayest save thy Child thy Servant thy Patterns or Examples being daily agreeable to thy Instruction and thy neglect of this Duty may be sad upon the Day of thy Account when the Blood of any poor Soul living in thy Family may be required at thy Hand because thou didst not do thy utmost in the use of the Means God hath appointed to reclaim them from Evil and the Snares of Death and to bring them to the understanding of the Will and Work of God appointed for them to observe Among the rest of those great Endeavours of many of the Lord's People in other things I do here present thee with a few Questions and Answers grounded upon Scripture which I shall beg thy Esteem of no farther than thou findest them agree with the Law and Testimony Isa 8. and desire from my Soul that every Man and Woman Child and Servant may learn to know the Things that belong to their Peace and may escape the Snares of Death in which I desire to remain one that am commanded to love my Neighbour as my self Manasseth King The Child's Instructor OR Brother Benjamin Keach 's Verses O Child most dear encline thine Ear And hearken to God's Voice His Counsel take and that will make God's Angels to rejoice Be not like those that Grace oppose And give their Minds to play But let thy Mind be well inclin'd In seeking Wisdom's Way Learn in thy Youth God's holy Truth Christ's blessed Cross to bear And so shalt thou though hated now In Heaven have a share Don't lie nor swear to steal don't dare Have a care of such Evils For such must die and in Hell lie With damned Souls and Devils In a right way thou must obey Thy Father and thy Mother As also right in God's dear sight To love Sister and Brother Let not vain Pleasure nor earthly Treasure Thy Soul seek and desire For these things know God will o'rthrow with his consuming Fire Spend all thy Days in righteous Ways God's holy Name to hallow That at thy last thy Days being past A blessed End may follow And though thou die and in Grave lie Yet Christ will thee awake And Angels send thee to attend And into 's Kingdom take Where thou shalt rest with Saints the best And pray that so may I And have the Crown of bless'd Renown God's Name to magnify That thou with Christ in Paradise For ever mayest dwell Thus do thou pray both Night and Day And so dear Child farewel A New and Useful CATECHISM QUestion What is God Answer A Spirit a King Immortal only Wise Holy Merciful Just All-seeing a Heart-searching Jehovah Joh. 4.24 1 Tim. 6.15 1 Pet. 1.15 Ephes 2.4 Psal 86.5 Prov. 15.3 Isa 45.21 Quest How may he be known Answ By his Works Attributes and his Word Rom. 2.14 15. Micah 7.18 Isa 9.6 Job Chap. 38 39. Exod. 34.6 7 8. Quest What are his Works Answ He made Heaven Earth the Sea and all that in them is in six Days and rested the seventh Day and saw all things to be exceeding Good Quest What is wonderful in his Works further A. His making all Things of Nothing his preserving all things by his Mercy Power calleth for the Waters out of the Sea poureth them out upon the Earth Amos 5.8 Gives the Sun for a Light by Day and the Moon and Stars by Night giveth the Rainbow as a Sign that the World shall be no more drowned placing Virtue and Operation in every Herb Tree Plant for the use and benefit of his Creature Man And for a further discovery take notice of Job 38 39 Chapters Gen. 9.13 Gen. 1.28 29 30. Quest What are his Attributes Answ His Wisdom his Holiness his Justice his Mercy his Faithfulness his Allseeingness and his Infiniteness in them and Immortality and Immutability 1 Tim. 6.15 1 Cor. 10.13 Rev. 15.4 Psal 139.2 Quest What is his Word Answ That which declareth him so to be and proceedeth from himself Psal 19.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. Quest Why did God create all things Answ For his Pleasure all things are and were created Rev. 4.11 Quest Did God create any Man on purpose to damn him Answ No for he saith As I live I desire not the Death of a Sinner but rather that he may turn and live Ezek. 18.22 23 24. 33.11 Q. What was Man made of A. Dust of the Earth Gen. 2.7 Q. After what manner was he made A. He is said to be created after God's own Image
having Dominion over all the earthly Creatures Gen. 1.27 28. Q. What did God give to Adam at the first A. He gave him a pleasant Paradise and a Law That of every Tree in the Garden he might eat but of the Tree of Knowledg of Good and Evil he should not eat for in the Day he eat thereof he should surely die Gen. 2.17 Q. How came Adam to break the Law given unto him A. By the Woman's yielding to the Serpent did take and eat of the forbidden Fruit and she gave to her Husband and he did eat Gen. 3.6 Q. Did Eve being tempted or provoked to eat by the Serpent or Adam by the Woman excuse their Sin A. No for God passeth Sentence upon them both and also upon the Serpent Q. What Misery fell they under as their Punishment A. To the Woman God saith I will greatly multiply thy Sorrows and thy Conceptions in Sorrow shalt thou bring forth Children and thy desire shall be to thy Husband and he shall rule over thee Gen. 3.16 Q. What did God say to Adam A. Because thou hast hearkened to the Voice of thy Wife the Ground shall be cursed for thy sake Thorns and Thistles shall it bring forth thou shalt in the sweat of thy Face eat thy Bread until thou return unto the Dust for Dust thou art and unto Dust thou shalt return He was also ashamed of his Nakedness feared to appear before his Maker turned out of Paradise and Cherubims set to keep the Way of the Tree of Life with flaming Swords that he might not eat thereof lest he live for ever Gen. 3.17 18 19 22 23 24. Q. Here is sad News of Death and Mortality and Pain and losing of a pleasant Paradise How came the happy News of Life immortal and enjoying of a heavenly Paradise A. Through a second Adam Christ Jesus who hath abolished Death and hath brought Life and Immortality unto Light through the Gospel 2 Tim. 1.10 Heb. 2.14 1 Cor. 15.22 Gen. 3.15 Q. What is Jesus Christ A. The Son of God the Saviour of poor lost worthless straying Sinners Q. How may that appear A. By the Wonders wrought at his Conception at his Birth by himself whilst on Earth personally at his Transfiguration at his Baptism at his Death at his Resurrection Q. What was wrought in a miraculous way at his Conception A. Mary with Child by the Holy Ghost and not after any ordinary manner Mat. 1.16 Joseph being espoused unto her thought to put her away not knowing what was done but an Angel appeared to satisfy him and directed him to call his Name Jesus for he should save his People from their Sins Mat. 1.21 Q. What Wonder was done at his Birth A. A Star arose out of the East which the Wise-men followed till it stood still over the Place where the young Child lay Mat. 2.10 Q. What else was done at his Birth A. Their rejoicing and worshipping of him Herod's cruel Design frustrated as relating to the killing of the Babe by the Lord 's appearing unto them in a Dream and sending them another way Mat. 2.12 Q. What else was wonderful A. An Angel appearing unto two Shepherds in great Glory saying Fear not for I bring you glad Tidings which shall be to all People for unto you is born this Day in the City of David a Saviour Christ the Lord. Q. What else was wrought wonderfully at his Birth A. A heavenly Host immediately appearing praising God and saying Glory to God in the Highest on Earth Peace Good-will towards Men Luke 2.9 10 11 12 13 14. Q. What Wonders were wrought in his Life-time A. Disputing with the Doctors at twelve Years of Age rebuking violent Diseases and they departed by the Word of his Mouth Joh. 4.10 turned Water into Wine John 2.9 raised the Dead cleansed the Lepers the Lame walk the Blind see the Deaf hear the Dumb speak Mat. 11.5 Rather than he will give Offence causeth Money to be taken out of a Fish's Mouth Mat. 17.27 Q. What else was wrought by Christ in his Life-time A. The Wind and the Sea obey him and are calm at his Command Mat. 8.26 27. Five thousand fed with five Loaves and two little Fishes Mat. 14.19 20 21. Q. What was wonderful at his Baptism A. The Spirit of God lighting upon him as a Dove as he came out of the Water testifying that he was the Son of God in whom he was well-pleased Mat. 3.16 Also at his being transfigured upon the Mount his Face did shine as the Sun and his Raiment white as the Light a bright Cloud over-shadowed them and a Voice out of the Cloud saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased hear ye him Mat. 17.2 Q. What was done at his Death A. The Vail of the Temple rent to signify the End of those Types he being the Substance Heb. 9.11 and Darkness over all the Earth from the 6th Hour to the 9th Hour Luke 23.44 the Earth did quake and the Rocks rent and the Graves were opened and many of the dead Bodies of the Saints which slept arose after his Resurrection and went into the holy City Mat. 27.51 52 53. Q. What Wonders were wrought at his Resurrection A. A great Earthquake an Angel descending from Heaven and came and rolled the Stone from the Door and sat upon it his Countenance like Lightning and his Raiment white as Snow and for fear of him the Keepers did shake and became as dead Men telling the Women that Christ was risen shewing them the Place where the Lord lay and said unto them Go quickly and tell his Disciples he is risen from the Dead Matth. 28.2 3 4 5 6 7. Q. How long was it from his Death to his Ascension A. Forty Days speaking to them of the things concerning the Kingdom of God Act. 1.3 Q. What was done at his Ascension A. Two Men standing by the Disciples in white Apparel testifying that the same Jesus whom they had seen ascend into Heaven should so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven Acts 1.11 Q. What was done after his Ascension A. The Disciples being together and praying upon the Day of Pentecost they received the Promise of the Spirit and were filled with the Holy Ghost so as that they were able to speak to the understanding of all Nations and Gifts bestowed upon them and others for the Edification of the Church perfecting of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry this appears from these Scriptures Acts 2.3 Eph. 4.8 1 Cor. 12.7 Q. VVhat did the Lord Jesus come into the VVorld to do A. He came to seek and save them that were lost to give the knowledg of Salvation and Remission of Sins to give Light to them that sat in Darkness and the shadow of Death to guide our Feet in the Path of Peace Luk. 19.10 1.77 78 79. 24.47 and to destroy the Works of the Devil 1 John 3.8 Q. How came Man into his
given to admire the Giver and to love things given so far as you may honour the Giver Prov. 3.9 Honour the Lord with thy Substance and there is promised an Increase O Soul if the Streams be sweet what is the Fountain And if the Creature be sweet what is the Creator O Souls serve God with all labour to love God above all and be content to be at his dispose in all 1 Chron. 29.14 Mat. 10.37 Isa 39.7 8. Job 1.21 Consider in great Prosperity you live upon Alms have nothing but what the great God gives you and live daily on his bountiful Benevolence and as he descends with Favours to you so do you ascend with Thankfulness to him Give us this Day our daily Bread our Lord teacheth us to pray and cannot we live well one Day without Bread then let 's ask it every Day and be thankful for it David rose at Midnight to praise God but it 's hardly some Mens Mid-day Work Hide not your Face from your own Flesh While some poor Relations are in Want if thou hast Prosperity look not with a scornful but with a pitiful Eye upon them Thy own Friend and thy Father's Friend do not forget Isa 58.7 Prov. 27.10 Job in his Prosperity caused the Widow to sing and pulled the Poor out of the Jaw-teeth of the Wicked And the Blessings of them that were ready to perish came upon him read the 31st Chapter of Job O how hath the Abuse of Prosperity and growing Proud overturned Sodom Ezek. 16.49 brought down that great Monarch Nebuchadnezzar overturned Belshazzar smote Herod with Worms for taking the popular Applause of the People who died immediately Acts 12.23 Those that slight Christ's Work and Way for the love of these worldly things shall never taste of his Supper Luke 14. 18-24 How have some for the love of this World and the things therein forsook the Assembly of the true Church and the divine Institutions and fallen in with a false Church a false Ministry and countenanced a company of vain Traditions in the pretended Worship of God and for fear of humane Fury fell under the Fury of divine everlasting Vengeance and are in danger without true Repentance for rejecting Light to be cast into utter Darkness O Souls tremble at that Word that saith They shall drink of the Lord's Wrath poured out without Mixture Rev. 14.9 10. Consider Moses Heb. 11.24 the three Children Dan. 3. Daniel's Case Peter and John's Case Acts 4.5 Antipas his Case and the Church's Courage in that Day Rev. 2.13 The Case of Stephen and all the blessed Martyrs Some were in great Prosperity outwardly but did not neglect what God commanded nor cowardly comply sinfully but hazarded all even Life it self Watch and pray in these things that Prosperity be not your Ruine by complying with sinful Temptations while you shall dare to put a Blot upon God's Not Touch not taste not handle not after the Commands and Doctrines of Men Col. 2.21 VIII As to Adversity or being in a poor low Condition in this World remember these things 1. That Godliness with Contentment is great Gain As it is not the bigness of the Cage that makes the Bird to sing without a secret Instinct so it is not having little of this World that should cast thee down since commanded by the Lord to be content with such things as ye have Heb. 13.5 2. Consider A little with the Fear of God is better than the Riches of many Wicked Psal 37.16 Consider Eccles 4.6 Prov. 16.8 Consider dear Souls it 's better to be in the meanest Condition in this World that possible may be with the Enjoyment of Christ and Truth than in the highest Condition without him and it In a word it 's better to suffer with him than reign without him Consider it 's better to be with a Lazarus in his Rags and Sores keeping Integrity than to be with a Dives in his Riches and Robes in a State of Wickedness and Sensuality Psal 73.12 Luke 15.19 20 21 22. Have some their Beds of Ivory stately Places of Rest O but poor Believer hast thou Rest from the damning Guilt of Sin Rest from the Curse of the Law Rest from an accusing Conscience through Faith in Christ Mat. 11.28 O wouldst thou part with this for theirs Surely no. Have they the Fat of the Flock and their curious Dainties And what if thou hast mean Food and coarse Bread but art partaker of Christ by Faith as the true Bread of Life and art nourished by him up to Eternal Life John 6.51 54. O dost thou enjoy the Fulness of God's House Christ as held forth in his Word and Ordinances Surely poor Soul thou couldest not part with him for all the Epicurean's Dainties Have they their Wine in Bowls and thou the Water of Affliction yet art refreshed with his Love that is better than Wine yea better than Life Cant. 4.10 O how hath the Wine of his Love cheared thy wounded Spirit when nothing else would avail Psal 63.3 Do Men in their Pomp chant to the Sound of the Viol and have their melodious Sounds O but poor Soul hast thou heard the joyful Sound of Remission of Sins and Everlasting Life through a dear Redeemer and art framing thy Soul and Body to the teaching of this joyful Sound O be content thy Enjoyments are far beyond theirs Consider Psal 89.15 O the blessed sound of the Gospel in the Benefits of his Death Resurrection Ascension and Intercession may make thee exceeding joyful Poor Soul have they their choice Ointments and Perfumes and thou hast thy smoaky House and poor Enjoyments Yet Soul consider if thou hast the Anointings of God's Spirit this is far beyond what they enjoy 1 John 2.27 The Spirit quickens the Spirit comforts the Spirit leads into Truth Take heed of that Spirit that leads from Gospel-Institutions and Commands that 's a Cheat of the Devil The holy Apostles say He that is of God heareth us and hereby know we the Spirit of Truth from the Spirit of Error 1 John 4.6 The Spirit witnesseth with our Spirits that we are the Sons of God and sealeth us to the Day of Redemption And Soul is not this far beyond all the pleasant Artificial Savours in the World Well be content Soul if you have your Hell here and your Heaven hereafter it 's well enough Rejoice in hope of the Glory of God Rom. 5.2 Though poor in this World yet if rich in Faith thou art happy Jam. 2.5 And now I beseech you take heed of those things that bring some into a low poor Estate in this World I shall give some Hints at some of them 1. Beware of Slothfulness this brings Poverty like an armed Man on some Prov. 6.11 2. Beware of Suretyship Why should thy Bed be taken from under thee Prov. 6.1 22.27 3. Take heed of lustful sinful Desires of strange Women though their Lips drop as an Hony-comb such have been a Snare to many A Dart hath
struck through the Liver and their Wealth hath been in the House of Strangers Prov. 5.3 10. 4. Beware of rejecting of Instruction or sober Reproof this brings Poverty Prov. 13.18 5. Beware of loving costly Superfluities Wine and Oil when there is no need of them Prov. 23.21 21.17 6. Take heed of covetously with-holding more than is meet in point of Charity to Objects of great Misery this tends to Poverty Prov. 11.24 7. Beware of giving to the Rich and withholding from the Poor Prov. 22.16 8. Take heed of delighting in the Company of vain Persons such shall have Poverty enough Prov. 28.19 9. Take heed of Oppression though thou be poor of oppressing the Poor Prov. 28.3 It is like a sweeping Rain that leaves no Food Now I beseech you consider of these Cautions that Men oft-times make themselves poor by such things as ought to be avoided IX Something briefly offered in case it shall be your State to be persecuted which all that will live godly in this World must and may expect until that glorious Day come that God will make a new Heaven and a new Earth And as to your being persecuted for Righteousness-sake either for doing what God Commands or for not doing what he Forbids 1. Commit your Souls to God in well-doing fear him trust in him let him be your Fear and Dread Isa 8.13 2. Rather in the fore-mentioned Cases chuse to suffer than to sin 3. Keep a good Conscience for that will bear you up under all hard Trials Integrity will afford daily Joy Acts 24.16 4. Be purely suffering in a principle of Love to God and Christ if ever you would be owned by God and Christ if otherwise all Suffering may be nothing 1 Cor. 13.3 My Friends give me leave that have been five times in Prison for my Lord's Cause and sometimes beaten and often fined to beseech you to avoid these things in suffering if God permit Trials to come upon you 1. Take heed of unbelief of Promises O that Promise If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ happy are ye 1 Pet. 4.14 They that suffer for Righteousness sake happy are they great is their Reward in Heaven Mat. 5.10 11. They shall have in what they lose an hundred fold in this present time and in the World to come Eternal Life Mat. 10.30 Surely a faithful Sufferer experiences sweet Comforts from God in the enjoyment of his Spirit comfort of his Promises Providences waiting great Grace attending O the sweet Comfort and Discoveries when John was banished into the Isle of Patmus or a place of Death he never met with the like Discoveries before in order to a manifesting in his four-fold Visions what should shortly come to pass never the like Discoveries before Rev. 1.9 The three Children had a glorious Presence in the fiery Furnace they were preserved and those that cast them in were destroyed their Enemies convinced no God was like their God Dan. 3.29 6.26 Daniel in the Lion's Den an Angel guarding of him Lions restrained from hurting of him the Informers destroyed before they came to the bottom of the Den Dan. 6.24 Paul and Silas in the Dungeon their Backs bleeding their Feet in the Stocks they at Midnight praising God and praying the Prison shaking the enraged Jaylor trembling and he and his after the Word was preached to him and all that were in his House believing and to Christ in holy Baptism conforming Thus you see there may be an hundred-fold more than formerly was enjoyed of divine Comfort and Strength Acts 16.24 to 34. Discoveries Preservation some out of weakness have been made strong O consult Soul that little Book of Martyrs Heb. 11. Besides what shall be accomplished when the Saints shall possess the Kingdom yea the greatness of it under the whole Heavens shall be given to them Dan. 7.27 Rev. 5.10 Psal 45.16 Rev. 20.4 5 6. 2. Souls take heed in a suffering Day of Self-confidence When Self-denial will help thee to be a faithful Martyr Self-confidence will make thee but an unfaithful Souldier an impatient Sufferer and a sinful Complier much of this I have seen in the Days of our late Trials He that trusts his own Heart is a Fool Prov. 28.26 Peter promised much out of a Temptation but fell foully under the Temptation O stay on him that gives Strength to them that have no Might Isa 40. ult 3. Take heed of carnal Counsel in a suffering State There are many will say Save your selves by complying and leave off bearing their Testimony and comply contrary to their Light cowardly God disowned Conscience wounded Comforts clowded and in saving themselves here without infinite Mercy may lose Eternal Life hereafter Luke 9.24 25. 4. Take heed of over-loving Self or the World more than Christ and Truth it will bring you to a dreadful Day in which you shall not be worthy of Christ Remember you are not your own but were bought with his precious Blood when you deserved nothing but Wrath and think not much to hazard your All for him Consider the Cross is interlaid with the Crown Love not the World nor the things 1 John 2.15 that are in the World neither equal with God nor above God it will declare if you so do that the Love of the Father is not in you Mat. 11.37 Rev. 1.10 X. O consider something as relating to the irresistable Decree of God even Death and Judgment Heb. 9.27 O consider it will not be long e're thou must be strugling with thy last Enemy O restless Death when Weakness will be attending Strength failing natural Spirits expiring Death-Sobs attending Friends weeping and you departing from the World Friends and Relations O happy then yea fully blessed if dying in the Lord Rev. 14.13 where John is commanded to write it O presume not upon a long Life it is a great hinderance to a good Life O for God's sake and for your eternal Welfare-sake do not forget your dying Hour nor your latter End lest you come down wonderfully and there be none to help you Lam. 1.9 1. God doth affectionately wish it Deut. 32.29 2. God doth graciously direct you to hear Counsel and receive Instruction that ye may be wise in your latter End Prov. 19.20 3. Labour to live so as you would wish when your Eyes come to be closed Prov. 5.11 Numb 23.10 4. Whatever your Hand findeth to do that is agreeable to the Lord 's holy Will do it with all your Might knowing there is no Work to be done in the Grave Eccles 9.10 5. Remember you must die but the Time when the Place where the Manner how you know not Evil falls out to Man and he knoweth it not Eccles 9.12 1. In order to your dying Hour let Time and Duty go together Mat. 24.46 2. Let a holy Reverence of God attend you in all Actions Places and Conditions 1 Pet. 1.17 3. Let the Contemplations of God's Love in Christ to you engage you to say daily to